1. In the space below, describe the stasis at the beginning of Split Second. In other words, “Where are we?” “When is it (time, day, and year)?” “Who are the people involved?” “What is the dramatic situation in which the characters find themselves as the play unfolds?”
- This play takes place in New York City in the 1980's. Over a few days in July, Val Johnson who is the main character, deals with a harsh reality that he killed someone without real reason. On the night of July 4th, he was arresting a thief for stealing a car. William Willis was stealing the car and then was very racist and violent regarding Johnson and the arrest. Val shot in, cuffed, when he crossed over the line. Johnson is questioned by his friend, coworkers, father, and wife about his decision to kill an 18 year old in the midst of arresting him for stealing a car. Alea (wife), Rusty (father), Parker (coworker), and Charlie (friend) are all supporting characters.
2. What is the intrusion that causes the stasis to be broken and the dramatic action to develop, often at an increasingly rapid pace, to the end of the play? Be careful when citing the intrusion, it may not be where you initially think it is.
- The intrusion is that he lied about what happened during the event. When he actually opens up to his wife and tells her what happened on the night of Val's shooting and tells Alea exactly what happened instead of lying to her like he did everyone else. This is the intrusion because it allows him a chance to think about what he actually did instead of the story he is telling and gives him a chance to discuss the truth and consequences of what happened with someone on his side.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor which is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place?
- This is the day that Val (African American) shoots a white, unarmed, cuffed boy and has to decide rather quickly if he is going to lie and save his career or come clean.
4. State the dramatic questions that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
- The main question throughout the play is whether or not Val will continue to lie about having "fixed" the crime scene or tell the truth.
5. Use Val to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, that is, dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what Val wants (NOTE: In Split Second the wants of Val are in flux and he is being swayed by his father, his wife, his friend, and his colleague at work. His wants seem to change as the play progresses). The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that the character encounters.
- In the beginning of the play, Val just wants to get through everything ahead so he can get over the shooting one way or the other. This can be seen as two different obstacles: me v myself and an individual(s). The reason I state this is because he has issues thinking through and deciding whether he wants to come clean or not, but also Parker puts pressure on him during the questioning and attempts to get Val to come clean out of intimidation. Next and for the rest of the play, Val just wants to be able to make a decision however his own frustrations as well as those coming from his father verses his wife create more for him (me v individuals).
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Split Second.
- To me, the most theatrical moment in this play occurred when Val and Alea fought over Val not talking about his job. This moment in the play not only revealed the whole truth of the shooting, but some deeper concerns that Val has and a slight reason he felt the need to do it: an experience he had as a child. The argument between the two allowed for anger and frustration to be let out, while also giving time for discussion of what to do next. Another very intense and theatrical moment is when he has an argument with his father. The two scenes showed the ultimatums of Val's decision and ultimately influence his thought process on the situation.
7. Provide at least three examples of images in Split Second. How does the title of the play help us understand the images in the play? (Remember Ball says that, “An image is the use of something we know that tells us something we don’t know.” He goes on to say that images invoke and expand, rather than define and limit.”)
- One example of an image that I noticed was Willis' knife. It is mentioned throughout the play and referenced as the only reason that Val had to kill him. The weapon is both what haunts and saves Val. Another image is that of the police uniform. Val took an oath before becoming an officer that he has now violated, according to his father. In the eyes of the law, coming forward with the truth would be the just thing to do. Val is very aware of his oath and it affects his thought process with guilt. A third image that could be noted is the constant mention of Vietnam and what happened to him while serving. Vietnam, at the time and still today, is seen as a moral gray area because people protested sending soldiers there but also in a way placed the soldiers there. It also changed Val's life and possibly the way he reacts to things, which is mentioned when discussing the shooting.
8. Ordinarily, there are many themes in most plays. List the themes in Split Second.
- Some major themes that I saw reading this play were: racism, guilt, and right vs wrong. Some smaller themes that I noticed were: PTSD and differences between age/ generations.
9. Most American plays have something to do with family and/or family relationships. What does family have to do with the dramatic action in Split Second?
- In this play, there are two different types of and differences in Val's family. His father (biological) is disappointed and frustrated with Val because he is lying about what happened, which is a violation of not only the law but the oath he took when he became a police officer. On the other hand, Alea (chosen family) believes that Val should continue telling his original story in order to avoid the consequences. Both are stressed out by Val and put pressure on him to make what they believe to be the right decision which causes issues with the relationships.
- if he doesn't lie he goes to jail, if he does he has to deal with the guilt
1. In the space below, describe the stasis at the beginning of Split Second. In other words, “Where are we?” “When is it (time, day, and year)?” “Who are the people involved?” “What is the dramatic situation in which the characters find themselves as the play unfolds?”
- This play takes place in New York City in the 1980's. Over a few days in July, Val Johnson who is the main character, deals with a harsh reality that he killed someone without real reason. On the night of July 4th, he was arresting a thief for stealing a car. William Willis was stealing the car and then was very racist and violent regarding Johnson and the arrest. Val shot in, cuffed, when he crossed over the line. Johnson is questioned by his friend, coworkers, father, and wife about his decision to kill an 18 year old in the midst of arresting him for stealing a car. Alea (wife), Rusty (father), Parker (coworker), and Charlie (friend) are all supporting characters.
2. What is the intrusion that causes the stasis to be broken and the dramatic action to develop, often at an increasingly rapid pace, to the end of the play? Be careful when citing the intrusion, it may not be where you initially think it is.
- The intrusion is that he lied about what happened during the event. When he actually opens up to his wife and tells her what happened on the night of Val's shooting and tells Alea exactly what happened instead of lying to her like he did everyone else. This is the intrusion because it allows him a chance to think about what he actually did instead of the story he is telling and gives him a chance to discuss the truth and consequences of what happened with someone on his side.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor which is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place?
- This is the day that Val (African American) shoots a white, unarmed, cuffed boy and has to decide rather quickly if he is going to lie and save his career or come clean.
4. State the dramatic questions that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
- The main question throughout the play is whether or not Val will continue to lie about having "fixed" the crime scene or tell the truth.
5. Use Val to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, that is, dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what Val wants (NOTE: In Split Second the wants of Val are in flux and he is being swayed by his father, his wife, his friend, and his colleague at work. His wants seem to change as the play progresses). The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that the character encounters.
- In the beginning of the play, Val just wants to get through everything ahead so he can get over the shooting one way or the other. This can be seen as two different obstacles: me v myself and an individual(s). The reason I state this is because he has issues thinking through and deciding whether he wants to come clean or not, but also Parker puts pressure on him during the questioning and attempts to get Val to come clean out of intimidation. Next and for the rest of the play, Val just wants to be able to make a decision however his own frustrations as well as those coming from his father verses his wife create more for him (me v individuals).
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Split Second.
- To me, the most theatrical moment in this play occurred when Val and Alea fought over Val not talking about his job. This moment in the play not only revealed the whole truth of the shooting, but some deeper concerns that Val has and a slight reason he felt the need to do it: an experience he had as a child. The argument between the two allowed for anger and frustration to be let out, while also giving time for discussion of what to do next. Another very intense and theatrical moment is when he has an argument with his father. The two scenes showed the ultimatums of Val's decision and ultimately influence his thought process on the situation.
7. Provide at least three examples of images in Split Second. How does the title of the play help us understand the images in the play? (Remember Ball says that, “An image is the use of something we know that tells us something we don’t know.” He goes on to say that images invoke and expand, rather than define and limit.”)
- One example of an image that I noticed was Willis' knife. It is mentioned throughout the play and referenced as the only reason that Val had to kill him. The weapon is both what haunts and saves Val. Another image is that of the police uniform. Val took an oath before becoming an officer that he has now violated, according to his father. In the eyes of the law, coming forward with the truth would be the just thing to do. Val is very aware of his oath and it affects his thought process with guilt. A third image that could be noted is the constant mention of Vietnam and what happened to him while serving. Vietnam, at the time and still today, is seen as a moral gray area because people protested sending soldiers there but also in a way placed the soldiers there. It also changed Val's life and possibly the way he reacts to things, which is mentioned when discussing the shooting.
8. Ordinarily, there are many themes in most plays. List the themes in Split Second.
- Some major themes that I saw reading this play were: racism, guilt, and right vs wrong. Some smaller themes that I noticed were: PTSD and differences between age/ generations.
9. Most American plays have something to do with family and/or family relationships. What does family have to do with the dramatic action in Split Second?
- In this play, there are two different types of and differences in Val's family. His father (biological) is disappointed and frustrated with Val because he is lying about what happened, which is a violation of not only the law but the oath he took when he became a police officer. On the other hand, Alea (chosen family) believes that Val should continue telling his original story in order to avoid the consequences. Both are stressed out by Val and put pressure on him to make what they believe to be the right decision which causes issues with the relationships.
- if he doesn't lie he goes to jail, if he does he has to deal with the guilt